Five-goal AJ Whiteman produced a man-of-the-match performance as AFC Worthing proved too strong for Ebbsfleet.

The Sussex outfit dominated the showpiece at Sheppey’s Holm Park and their clean sheet ensured they lifted the plate without conceding a goal in the competition.

It’s little wonder that they’ve already collected the League Cup and are on course for a trophy-laden campaign.

They’ve certainly had to put the miles in with regards to entering a county competition in neighbouring Kent.

AFC Worthing manager Daniel Lawrence said: “It was a controlled game, we played football from the off and an enjoyable occasion.

“We didn’t concede a goal throughout the tournament so I’m proud of them.

“We’ve had a few noisy coach trips but it’s been worth it and we’re happy.

“We’ve only played about six league games but it’s going well, we’ve already won the League Cup as well.”

Three goals in the last two minutes ensured the scoreline didn’t do justice to Ebbsfleet’s improved second-half efforts.

Whiteman served notice of his ability inside seven minutes, his low drive beaten away by keeper Edward Lovell, before a clinical left-foot finish found the bottom corner to put Worthing on the road to victory.

Impressive midfielder Liam Thomas scored twice in the space of five minutes with almost identical goals from corners. His glancing header from William WIlson’s delivery found the far corner on nine minutes and then he repeated the feat from captain Louie Lawrence’s inswinging cross.

Thomas then turned provider as a rampant Worthing made it 4-0 on 21 minutes, setting up Whiteman to produce a composed close-range finish.

It took just two minutes of the second half for Worthing to add a fifth, Thomas hit the bar from the edge of the box but the predatory Whiteman was quickest to react to tuck away the rebound for his hat-trick.

Ebbsfleet showed more resilience after the break, however, and long-range shots from Samuel Taiwo and Toluwanimi Odusina provided rays of sunshine on a wet morning. In defence, Dexter Turner-Sales showed plenty of heart alongside the battling qualities of Henry Craig.

A rash challenge from Ebbsfleet’s Chibueze Emebo earned him a yellow card late on but it only served to prove a signal for three more goals.

On 68 minutes, Whiteman turned on the edge of the box to make it 6-0. Then a foul by Turner-Sales on Caleb Moxey conceded a penalty which Moxey himself successfully converted.

There was still enough time for Whiteman to play an exquisite one-two with Reece Boiling and add the icing on the cake by tucking away his fifth goal of the morning.

Ebbsfleet United: Edward Lovell, Harry Manktelow, Dexter Turner-Sales, Frankie Alexander, Henry Craig, Owiuwadolabomi Bawa, Samuel Taiwo, Louie Lyons, Harvin Sangha, Toluwanimi Odusina, Chibueze Emebo, Ralph Truss, Alexander Ciuche, Zachariah Raheem Uwais-Awesu, Jenson Bullas, Olwaferanmi Oresanwo.

AFC Worthing: Kieron Potter, Blake Clarke, Caleb Moxey, Jude Woods, Oskar Proszkiewicz, Reece Boiling, Liam Thomas, Louie Lawrence, Thomas Collins, AJ Whiteman, William Wilson, Daniel Panyamark, Riley Clayton, Asher Adebisi, Fred Brown, Ryan Beddows.

Referee: Harry Clifford.